Health and Safety

All participants will be required to provide proof of their full COVID-19 vaccinated status to gain access to the event. “Fully vaccinated” at DDW is defined as individuals who have received one of the following:

• A second shot in a two-dose series of any vaccine approved by CDC or the World Health Organization (WHO), such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, by Saturday, May 7, 2022.
• One shot of a single dose of any vaccine approved by CDC or WHO, such as the Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine, by Saturday, May 7, 2022.

A complete list of currently accepted COVID-19 vaccines can be found on the CDC and WHO websites.

While we are not requiring that participants receive a booster vaccine, we strongly encourage all attendees to be boosted.

There will be no exceptions to the vaccine requirement. If you registered to attend DDW in person and are not vaccinated, you have two options.

1. You can attend DDW virtually. To switch from an in-person attendee to a virtual attendee, send an email to DDW@xpressreg.net. In the subject line, type Switch my DDW registration from in-person to virtual. In the body of the email, provide your first name, last name, and the confirmation number you received in your confirmation email. Any in-person ticketed sessions you purchased will be refunded to you. Refunds can take up to 14 working days.
2. You can cancel your DDW registration and received a full refund by sending an email to DDW@xpressreg.net. In the subject line, type Cancel my DDW registration due to COVID vaccine requirement. In the body of the email, provide your first name, last name, and the confirmation number you received in your confirmation email. Refunds can take up to 14 working days.

To ensure the safety of all in-person attendees and provide secure and streamlined access to the San Diego Convention Center, we are using a system powered by 42Chat that allows attendees to upload their vaccination card and verify their vaccination status in advance of the meeting. 42Chat does not use personally identifiable information of End-Users for any purpose other than in support of Healthshield, the application used to upload and validate DDW attendee vaccine cards.

IMPORTANT. We strongly encourage all registered attendees to begin the automated upload and validation process as early as possible. Validation of your vaccine card can take a minimum of 24 hours.

Registered attendees from the U.S.:

• Text UPLOAD to 877-509-1104 to begin the automated upload and validation process. If you do not receive a link to start the process, please make sure you sent the text to 877-509-1104 and typed the word UPLOAD. If you try to text again and still do not receive a link, or if you need any assistance, text SUPPORT to 877-509-1104.
• Registered attendees from the U.S. whose vaccine status is verified by April 27, 2022, will receive their meeting badges in the mail. The meeting badge will serve as proof of vaccination and can be used to enter the convention center.
• Registered attendees from the U.S. whose vaccine status is not verified by April 27 will need to pick up their meeting badges at the convention center and show proof of vaccination to enter the convention center.
• Watch the online tutorial for uploading proof of vaccination via SMS.

Registered attendees from outside of the U.S.:

• Use this link to begin the automated upload and validation process.
• Registered attendees from outside of the U.S. will not receive their meeting badges in the mail. They will need to pick up their meeting badges at the convention center and show proof of vaccination to enter the convention center.
• Watch this online tutorial for uploading proof of vaccination via web link.
• If you are attempting to use the link from a computer at your place of work, there is a chance your network administrator may block access to the upload website. If this happens, try using the link from a personal device or talk to your company's network administrator.

Vaccine Validation

After uploading a vaccine card, the registered attendee will receive a notification that the document was uploaded and is awaiting validation.

After a registered attendee’s vaccine status is validated, they will receive a notification via either text or email, based on how they initiated the process, with a link to their validated status (see below). Attendees who use the web link should check their spam folder in the event the email is delivered to that folder.

Registered attendees who do not receive their meeting badges in the mail will be required to show this validation along with a valid ID to enter the convention center to pick up their meeting badges and materials. They should save this validation to their phone or print out a copy to present for entry into the convention center. See "Entering the Meeting Venue" for more information about where and how to enter the convention center.

Checking your status: Validation of your vaccine status can take a minimum of 24 hours. If you have not received a notification a validated status, check your status by either:

• If you uploaded your card via text, go to your original text message and type STATUS.
• If you uploaded your card via the web link, go to the link using the same device you used to upload your card. If you use another device with a different IP address, the website will not recognize you and will not provide a status update.

We strongly recommend attendees consult the CDC COVID-19 Travel Page for requirements related to travel to and within the U.S. Attendees traveling from outside of the U.S. also should consult their local government for guidelines and requirements. All attendees should check with their airline(s) for requirements regarding testing, vaccination or other documentation.

Entry to the convention center will be through controlled access points where vaccination status will be verified. No attendee will be able to enter the convention center without providing proof of vaccination status.

Registered attendees with a meeting badge*:

• Enter the convention center through the Hall D entrance.
• Your badge will serve as proof of your vaccination status.

Registered attendees without a meeting badge*:

• Enter the convention center through the Hall A entrance.
• You will need to present a valid ID and your proof of vaccination from 42Chat.
• You will pick up your meeting badge and meeting materials in Hall A.
• Re-entry to the convention center will be through the Hall D entrance with your meeting badge.

*See "Providing Proof of Vaccination" for information about our automated vaccination card upload and verification system, and which attendees will receive a meeting badge in advance of the meeting.

Regarding the use of face masks, we will follow California health guidelines in place in May 2022; however, we strongly recommend everyone wear a mask at all times while attending DDW events in San Diego.

The Exhibit and Poster Halls will have wider main aisles to allow for social distancing. In addition, the Exhibit Hall will have limited carpet to allow for easier and faster cleaning.

The following cleaning protocols will be in place at the convention center.

• Meeting rooms will be cleaned after each session.
• High-touch areas within the convention center, including all bathrooms, will be cleaned regularly.
• Hand sanitizing stations will be placed throughout the convention center.

If you feel sick while attending DDW, you are required to proceed as follows:

• Wear a mask at all times when you are not in your hotel room.
• Get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible by visiting a local testing site.
• If your test results come back positive, self-isolate in your hotel room. You can still watch the livestream of many of the scientific sessions through the DDW Virtual™ meeting platform.
• Adhere to CDC guidelines regarding quarantine and isolation periods. You can use the Quarantine and Isolation Calculator to determine when it’s advisable to leave quarantine or isolation.

Rapid antigen and/or PCR testing may be available at local pharmacies for attendees who are not feeling well or who require a negative test before air travel. Following are resources for identifying some testing locations. Note that testing options and turnaround times for PCR/NAAT testing and Rapid-result (PCR) may vary. We recommend that you schedule appointments ahead of time.

CVS Pharmacy COVID-19 Testing Locator

Walgreens COVID-19 Testing Locator

Rite Aid Pharmacy COVID-19 Locator

As of April 15, 2022, the following pharmacies near the convention center provide testing options.

CVS Pharmacy (Gas Lamp)

400 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Phone: 619-744-9967

Monday-Friday 8 AM––8 PM

Saturday 9 AM––6 PM

Sunday 10 AM––6 PM

PCR/NAAT: results in 1 - 2 days

Rapid-result (PCR), results within hours (limited availability)

Recommend scheduling appts ahead of time due to volume.

Ralphs Pharmacy

101 G St, San Diego, CA

Phone: 619-595-1581

Pharmacy Direct Phone: 619-237-7660

Pharmacy Hours:

Sun: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Mon - Fri: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Sat: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

This location only offers at-home OTC COVID-19 rapid antigen tests for sale.

No onsite PCR/NAAT or Rapid-result (PCR) testing is available.